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Game 15 Preview: Kings @ Avalanche

After getting crushed by the Bruins at home on Sunday, the Avalanche (6-8-0) return to action hoping to find some offense against the Los Angeles Kings (7-8-1).

By Steven W Page
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The final score Sunday was 2-0, but that was not an indication of how the game played out. The Boston Bruins doubled up the Avalanche in shots and dominated every facet of the game. One positive for the Avs to take away from the game was the return of stellar play from their all-star goaltender, Semyon Varlamov. Varlamov kept the Avs in the game Sunday, but the Avs just couldn't score. And that seems to be a recurring problem. After just 14 games, the Avs have been shutout a league high four times. No team in the NHL has scored fewer goals than the Avalanche. With the team's leading goal scorer, Matt Duchene slated to miss a second game after suffering a concussion, the Avs will have to find more offense from their other talented sources.

The Avs will have to move the recurring seesaw that is their season back the other direction this evening against a Los Angeles Kings team that is not without their own problems. Often known as a defensive minded team over the last several years, the Kings continue to be near the top of the league in fewest shots against per game. However, the team is doing so without their all-star goaltender, Jonathan Quick, who suffered a tendon injury back on the opening night of the season. In the meantime, the Kings have been backstopped by former Avalanche goaltender, Peter Budaj. Budaj, who has already played more NHL games than he has in the last two years will look to continue to keep the Kings afloat against his former squad Tuesday night.

LINES

Landeskog-MacKinnon-Rantannen

Martinsen-Grigorenko-Iginla

Bourque-Soderberg-Comeau

McLeod-Mitchell-Colborne

Zadorov-Johnson

Wierchioch-Barrie

Beauchemin-Tyutin

Varlamov

Pickard

NOTES

- After playing well in his first NHL game, 2015 second round pick, A.J. Greer was sent back down to the minors Monday.

- Through 14 games, the Avs have scored only 16 5-on-5 goals. The worst in the league.

- After scoring six goals in their first home game, the Avs have only managed seven in their last six.

GAME INFO

Game time: 7pm MT

TV: ALT